Rehabbed steel mill eagle Rosie released with a 7-foot wingspan

A young bald eagle from a U.S. Steel mill near Pittsburgh that was missing all of its primary flight feathers on one wing is flying the skies of Crawford County.

On Thursday, officials from Tamarack Wildlife Center, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and U.S. Steel released Rosie after she was “imped” with new flight feathers and underwent 3.5 months of rehabilitation.

“This is an exciting rescue, rehabilitation and release success story,” said Carol Holmgren, Tamarack’s executive director and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

“She is right where she needs to be. She’s an eagle who is ready to take on the world.”

Rosie’s release and first flight were captured in a video by Gerry Devinney of Monroeville.

In July, a young bald eagle, later known as Rosie, had yet to take its first flight when it was knocked off a branch by a sibling at their nest on the grounds of U.S. Steel Irvin Works in West Mifflin.

A live webcam operated by the mill and PixCams of Murrysville captured the event, which prompted Irvin Works Manager Don German and Pennsylvania Game Warden Denton Schellhammer to locate and rescue the bird. After finding Rosie on the ground near her perched sibling, the injured bird was taken to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh in Verona and then Tamarack.

“This bird would not have survived without the camera footage and the response from the camera company, U.S. Steel and the game commission,” Holmgren said.

Schellhammer and German were present at the release as were the PixCams moderators Annette and Gerry Devinney of Monroeville.

“It was amazing to see Rosie take off immediately when the door of her crate was opened,” German said. “She flew above us and then did three circles flawlessly. She was great.”

Avid eagle watchers, the Devinneys said they now know Rosie’s markings in flight and will look for her during visits in the region. Tamarack did not band the bird because a special permit is required.

Holmgren used an old falconry technique called “imping” and grafted 10 new flight feathers and other feathers. Holmgren, who has imped birds before, but rarely added 10-plus new feathers, consulted national experts on the procedure. Rosie took on the new feathers and quickly learned to fly well.

“Rosie is so good and accurate with landing and is very strong,” Holmgren said after she and her staff cared for the bird. “Seeing her fly, after her exercise program, is breathtaking to see that long wingspan,” she said.

Before the release and during Rosie’s final medical checkup, Holmgren measured Rosie’s wingspan at about 7 feet. She and her staff also sharpened Rosie’s talons after they dulled the sharp tips of the claw during captivity. Rosie will need sharp talons to hunt in the wild.

“She is ready to rock and roll,” Holmgren said.

The young bald eagle was released near Pymatuning Reservoir because of the high concentration of eagles in the area where she can socialize, learn from them and find lots of food.

To watch the live webcam at the U.S. Steel Irvin Works nest, visit pixcams.com/uss-eagles.

To learn more about and to donate to Tamarack, visit tamarackwildlife.org.